World Health Organization (WHO), 2024
The 2024 WHO-Civil Society Working Group Report to the Director-General outlines major progress in global climate and health collaboration. Anchored in the adoption of a new World Health Assembly resolution co-sponsored by 37 Member States, the report highlights milestones in joint action between the WHO and civil society to address climate change’s growing threat to global health. Key accomplishments include contributions to the WHO COP29 Special Report, COP29 Policy Recommendations endorsed by over 100 organizations, and input on the Global Plan of Action for resolution implementation. The group also organized and spoke at the WHO Health Pavilion during COP29 and established a new COP Task Force for COP30 planning. Despite global setbacks in climate finance and fossil fuel commitments at COP29, the report underscores opportunities for deeper integration of health into NDCs and a stronger health agenda for COP30 in Brazil. The document champions civil society’s expanding role, emphasizing the need for ongoing partnership and policy leadership to center health in climate decision-making. Signatories include leaders from international public health associations, academic institutions, and advocacy groups united under the WHO-GCHA partnership.